His Highness Sheikh Khalid, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Announces a Detailed Plan to Protect Ports and Secure Borders Against International Smuggling

RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates - Four step plan includes partnership with international law enforcement entities

To support the United Arab Emirates Federal Government as a partner for peace and promoter of law within the international community, we must put in place a robust action plan to stop the trafficking of arms, drugs and humans through Ras Al Khaimah.

In my various trips to the United States, I have heard growing alarm from senior government officials over the Arabian Gulf region serving as a portal for illicit trade. They are worried about the smuggling of weapons from the so-called “merchants of death;” the smuggling of drugs from South America and Asia, and the smuggling of humans from Eastern Europe and Asia to be sold as slaves.

Given Ras Al Khaimah’s geo-strategic location near Iran, we have to be especially conscious that our Emirate not be used as a transfer point for technologies and weapon systems headed to Iran, which justify the international community’s concerns about nuclear arms proliferation.

Because Ras Al Khaimah has one of the largest commercial ports in the region, a major regional hub airport and an almost unregulated free trade zone, we need to make sure that we protect our Emirate’s economic and commercial future from unsavoury individuals and organizations that are using our economic centers to engage in illegal activities.

We must also use the most modern technologies to improve protections on our long border with the Gulf to the east and mountains to the west, potential routes for smugglers.

Today, I am proposing “Safe Ports, Secure Borders,” a four-pronged action plan to crack down on arms, narcotics and human trafficking.

Action Step I: Security Commission

I will appoint a high level security commission made up of global leaders to review Ras Al Khaimah’s systems, vulnerabilities and practices and to recommend new strategies for a 21st century interdiction program.

In particular, the Security Commission will be tasked with examining what can be done with Port Saqr, the airport and the entire free trade zone to guarantee that Ras Al Khaimah is doing everything possible to protect these assets from being used for trafficking of arms, drugs and humans.

The Security Commission will seek to work with the international community, including experts in the United States Department of Homeland Security (with whom I have already met), to develop specific recommendations.

Protecting Port Saqr, the airport and the free trade zone is not just a tool to fight smuggling - it also protects Ras Al Khaimah’s long-term economic strength. The port, airport and free trade zone are central to our economy, and any breach by smuggling would have significant economic consequences.

Action Step II: Development and Implementation of a 21st Century Border Monitoring System

I propose to deploy anti-smuggling technologies that are now being used on the U.S.-Mexico border, New York City and throughout London. These new systems combine high-tech cameras, integrated data banks and face recognition technology. These systems are sophisticated enough to read license plates, take high resolution pictures of occupants of fast moving vehicles and operate regardless of time or weather.

These advanced technologies would help stop any smuggling of arms, drugs and humans through Ras Al Khaimah while minimizing the adverse impact on the local population that has traditionally been associated with such interdiction programs.

In the case of Ras Al Khaimah, just as in the case of the U.S.-Mexico border, vehicles and people seen in areas of concern are identified by the system and scanned with a non-visible laser camera, and the information is relayed electronically to patrol cars and/or border control stopping areas. If the plates or facial recognition provide a match to a vehicle or person of interest, an alarm is sounded.

Action Step III: Partnership with the United Nations, Interpol, United States and other International Law Enforcement Agencies

I propose a 21st Century Security Partnership with leading and respected law enforcement agencies. The partnership would be designed to promote joint operations, sharing of information and other cooperative efforts.

In particular, I believe it is critical for Ras Al Khaimah to monitor the flow of money that travels around the world - irrespective of borders - that is used to fund arms, drug and human trafficking. In my visit to Washington D.C., I discussed the need for Arabian Gulf states to aggressively monitor money that is coming into and out of countries in the Middle East to be used for illegal activities.

Action Step IV: Audit To Guarantee Full Compliance With International Law and Embargoes and Strengthening of Sanctions for Violators

Going back hundreds of years, Ras Al Khaimah sits at what has historically been one of the world’s great centers of commerce.

While Ras Al Khaimah has always been located in a key strategic location, our proximity to Iran makes our geographic location more important than ever.

In the future, it is critical that Ras Al Khaimah follows the strong leadership of the Federal Government and makes sure it is in full compliance with international law and embargoes. To that end, Ras Al Khaimah needs to undergo and make public an audit certifying that it is in compliance with these laws.

Moreover, we need to make clear just how serious Ras Al Khaimah is about guaranteeing compliance on these critical issues of global security. To that end, I will propose that Ras Al Khaimah attach a life sentence to any individual found guilty of trafficking barred goods or information in Ras Al Khaimah to Iran that relates to weapons of mass destruction.

His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler Ras Al Khaimah

Source: Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi

Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, info at sheikhkhalid.com